CNA Classes in Arizona

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a challenging and rewarding position in the healthcare industry. With the elderly population increasing, the demand for CNAs continues to grow. A Certified Nursing Assistant’s main role is to provide basic care to patients, as well as to assist them in daily activities that they might have trouble with on their own. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting with personal hygiene, feeding, bathing, making patient beds, and taking vital signs. Because of the intimate nature of the job, CNAs should be compassionate and enjoy helping others. If you have these qualities and are looking for a gratifying career, a Certified Nursing Assistant might be the right choice for you!

CNA Training in Arizona – Requirements and Program

The Arizona State Board of Nursing does not have a minimum age for CNAs. However, the Arizona Department of Health Services requires that workers be at least 16 years old if they provide direct care in long­term care facilities. In addition, many CNA programs in Arizona require a high school diploma or GED in order to enroll in their program.

There are over 60 Board Certified Training Programs in the state of Arizona located at colleges, high schools, nursing homes, and independent facilities. These programs have varying prices and schedules so be sure to choose the one that best fits your needs and lifestyle. All CNA training programs in Arizona are at least 120 hours with a focus both on classroom curriculum and clinical training. For a complete list of current Board Certified Training Programs, click HERE.

Certified Nursing Assistant training is where you will receive the skills and knowledge necessary for you to pass the CNA Written and Manual Skills Test as well as to become a successful Nursing Assistant. Some of the skills you will learn include applying bandages, proper thermometer use, blood pressure readings, ambulating patients, and showering patients.

CNA Written and Manual Skills Test

Once you complete your Board Certified Training Program in Arizona, you are ready to sign up for the examination. The test consists of both a written portion and a skills portion. The Written Exam is made up of approximately 75 questions which you will have 90 minutes to complete. You must have a score of 75% or higher to pass the knowledge portion of the exam. Questions are selected from subject areas based on the approved Arizona test plan and include questions from all the required categories as defined in OBRA regulations.

Written Exam Subject Areas:

Safety
Communication
Infection Control
Data Collection
Personal Care
Basic Nursing Skills Mental Health
Role and Responsibility
Care Impaired
Disease Process
Resident Rights
Older Adult Growth & Development
Perineal Care
Bed Pan & Output

The Manual Skills portion of the test allows test facilitators to witness your hands on nursing skills. You will be assigned the task  or the task and an additional three randomly selected tasks from the list below for you to perform on your Skill test. You will be given forty minutes to complete the four tasks. For the skills exam, candidates are required to score a minimum of 80% on each task without missing any key steps.

Manual Skills Subject Areas:

Ambulation with Gait Belt
Ambulation With Walker
Applying an Antiembolic Stalking
Bedpan and Output
Bed Bath
Blood Pressure
Denture Care
Dressing Bedridden Patient
Feeding Dependent Patient
Fluid Intake
Isolation Gown and Gloves Mouth Care Mouth Care of Comatose Patient
Making an Occupied Bed
Perineal Care Female
Positioning Patient on Side
Range of Motion Knee and Hip
Range of Motion Shoulder
Pivot Transfers
Vital Signs

After successfully completing CNA classes in Arizona, you must pass both the Written and Manual Skills portion of the test in order to pass the exam. The 2014 Arizona average first­time pass rate for the Written Exam was 86% and the Manual Skills Exam was 79%. These high passing rates show the quality of the training programs in Arizona.

After you have successfully completed both the Written Test and the Skill Test components, your test results will be sent to the Arizona Board of Nursing. If you fail either part of the exam, you must reapply to retake the one portion that you failed. Procedures for reapplying and test results are included in a failure notification letter which is mailed to you. You are eligible to test as many times as needed within 2 years of the date that you completed your CNA classes in Arizona. After two years, you must complete an additional Board approved training program in order to be eligible to retake the exam.

CNA Registry Requirements

Once you complete your Arizona CNA Training Program and pass both portions of the exam, you must undergo a criminal background check before you can work as a Certified Nursing Assistant in Arizona. For those applicants with a prior felony conviction, the Board must receive proof that five or more years have gone by since the date of absolute discharge of the felony. “Absolute discharge” from the sentence means completion of any sentence including imprisonment, probation, parole, community supervision or any form of court supervision. The Board considers applicants with felony convictions over five years from the date of absolute discharge on a case­-by­-case basis.

Once you have completed all necessary paperwork and meet all requirements, you will be placed on the Arizona Certified Nursing Assistant Registry and you can begin work!

CNA Renewal

Nursing Assistant certificates are valid for two years in the state of Arizona and must be renewed at that time. The Board will send you information regarding how to renew your license. It is important that you always keep your mailing information current so that you receive all important paperwork from the Board. The renewal process takes about three to four weeks so make sure to get the paperwork submitted in a timely manner so there is no disruption in your certification. You may also choose to renew your license online which you can find out more about HERE.

The Board does not require that you have any continuing education hours to renew your certification. However. the federal government requires that CNAs working in long term care facilities, home health, or hospice agencies have twelve hours of continuing education per year. Your employer may also have additional educational requirements.

Now all you need to do is find CNA classes in Arizona and get started!

CNA Job and Salary Data for Arizona Cities

CNA Training Class Locations in Arizona (AZ)

The following is a list of state approved CNA Training Centers in Arizona:

Cities in Arizona:

Apache Junction | Avondale | Bullhead | Bullhead City | Chandler | Coolidge | Cottonwood | Flagstaff | Fountain Hills | Glendale | Globe | Kingman | Mesa | Nogales | Page | Parker | Payson | Peoria | Phoenix | Prescott | Prescott Valley | Rio Rico | Scottsdale | Sierra Vista | Tempe | Thatcher | Tucson | Windslow | Youngtown | Yuma All Cities | Apache Junction | Avondale | Bullhead | Bullhead City | Chandler | Coolidge | Cottonwood | Flagstaff | Fountain Hills | Glendale | Globe | Kingman | Mesa | Nogales | Page | Parker | Payson | Peoria | Phoenix | Prescott | Prescott Valley | Rio Rico | Scottsdale | Sierra Vista | Tempe | Thatcher | Tucson | Windslow | Youngtown | Yuma